Ratcliff signs two-year deal with Stealth

EVERETT — The Washington Stealth have signed veteran forward Lewis Ratcliff to a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.

The deal is pending National Lacrosse League approval.

Ratcliff has been one of the key pieces in the Stealth’s run to back-to-back Western Division championships and helped the team capture the 2010 NLL Champion’s Cup. He was acquired from the Toronto Rock in a trade for Colin Doyle before the 2010 season. In his two seasons in Washington, Ratcliff has scored more regular-season points than any other NLL player with 189 (87 goals, 102 assists). In 2011, Ratcliff earned second-team NLL All-Pro honors, finishing the season second in the league with 92 points (41 goals, 51 assists).

“On the floor, Lewis’s accolades speak for themselves,” Stealth general manager Doug Locker said in a press release. “He’s an exceptional scorer for which opposing teams have to adjust their game plan.”

Ratcliff will join his teammates for the start of training camp next weekend in Langley, British Colombia. He’s ready to get going.

“I’m incredibly anxious to get the season started,” Ratcliff said. “Coming to the Stealth organization has really rejuvenated me. Now I am much more involved with the community and surrounded by people I know. It’s more fun playing close to my family and having the support of a community when I’m playing. The move to the Stealth has been the best thing for my career.”

Ratcliff returns, as do most of the core pieces of a team that is looking for a third straight trip to the NLL title game. The team has advanced to the championship game in each of its first two seasons in Everett after relocating from San Jose, Calif.

“With the expectations and team that we have in Washington, if we don’t win it all, the season won’t be a success,” Ratcliff said. “We were one goal away from winning back-to-back championships last season. We’ve got the bull’s-eye on our backs and everyone wants to beat us, so it’s just a matter of being prepared and working harder than everyone else.”

In his nine-year career, Ratcliff has racked up 746 points (344 goals, 402 assists) in 143 regular-season games. He earned the MVP of the Champion’s Cup in 2010, when he scored five goals in a 15-11 victory over the Rock.

The Stealth open their NLL regular season Jan. 14 at Comcast Arena against the Calgary Roughnecks.

Aaron Lommers covers the Washington Stealth for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at aaronlommers@gmail.com.